NWSP

Resources

Explore our latest resources from CAHRC to enhance your HR strategies, assess technology readiness, and gain valuable insights into workforce development. Check out these essential documents

Infrastructure Report: Agriculture's workforce shortage isn't just about finding workers—it's about building communities where people want to live and work. Our latest research uncovers how infrastructure deficits in rural Canada may impact the sector's growth.
Dos and Don'ts List: Upgrade your HR strategies with expert insights from CAHRC: Dive into CAHRC’s comprehensive list of Do’s and Don’ts for effective leadership, hiring, onboarding, and performance management. This essential resource will help you build a positive workplace culture, attract the right talent, and keep your team motivated.
Self-Assessment Tool: Elevate your farm's efficiency! Use CAHRC’s Self-Assessment Tool to gauge your current technology adoption and plan. Identify strengths, pinpoint areas for improvement, and lead the way.
Case Studies: Explore our newest case studies featuring success stories in agriculture! From creating a community culture to addressing EDI and overcoming workforce challenges, get insights that can transform your business.
Work Integrated Learning: Unlock the potential of experiential learning in the agri-food sectors with our comprehensive report. From understanding labour market dynamics to enhancing student engagement, this report offers valuable insights for a thriving future in agriculture and food & beverage manufacturing.
Workplace Culture Research for Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Action Symposium: What We Heard: Reflecting on Key Insights! Our National Workforce Strategic Plan is grounded in valuable feedback from industry leaders. Insights gathered from last year’s Action Symposium helped shape our approach to securing the future of agriculture in Canada. Discover the findings organized around five key pillars: Perception, Workplace Culture, Immigration, Skill Development, and Automation. Together, we can address the pressing challenges in the agri-food sector and pave the way for a sustainable workforce!
Identifying Barriers to Careers in Agriculture
Technology Adoption Readiness: Is your workforce ready for automation? The path to technology adoption starts with evaluating readiness. CAHRC’s framework provides clear steps for small businesses to prepare for the future of work. Prepare, plan, and prosper! Empower your team and streamline operations with targeted automation strategies.

Agenda - June 11 (Day1)

Day 1 - Setting the Stage for Resilience and Growth

Words of Welcome
Speaker: Jennifer Wright, Executive Director, CAHRC

Overview of the National Workforce Strategic Plan (NWSP)
Speakers: Kristina Farrell, FBC & Scott Ross, CFA

Origins of NWSP work, progress, and next steps to support sector workforce needs

Establishing the Foundation
Speaker: Jennifer Wright, CAHRC

Insights from research on skills, technology, investment, and collaboration, and how these elements collectively ensure that we have the workforce required both now and in the future.

Government perspective

Overview of new federal government’s priorities related to support in the sectors in innovation, skills and workforce support.

Welcome from Future Skills Centre
Speaker: FSC Representative

Overview of latest Canadian skills and innovation research

AAFC Update

Current priorities and activities from the Department related to supporting innovation, skills development, workforce strategies and productivity

The Role of Agriculture and Food in Canada’s Economy

Current economic outlook, impact of trade tensions, new market opportunities

Networking Lunch

Policy Perspective: Canada’s Agri-Food Opportunity
Speaker: Tyler McCann, CAPI

Exploration of Canadian policies shaping the future of agriculture and food
How these policies can inform skills, productivity and workforce development

Panel: The Future of Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing

Emerging trends and impacts on competitiveness and workforce evolution

Panel: Learning from Other Sectors

Lessons in Technology Adoption and Workforce Transition from Mining, Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive OR Aviation Industries
Success strategies and innovation insights from non-agri-food sectors

Panel: Sector Voices: Stories of Innovation and Resilience

Fast insights from leading agri-food employers advancing technology, automation, and workforce innovation

Closing Remarks for Day 1
Speaker: Kristina Farrell, FBC

Networking Reception

Agenda - June 12 (Day 2)

Day 2 - Mobilizing Action and Building Momentum

Welcome to Day 2
Speaker: Jennifer Wright, CAHRC or Scott Ross, CFA

Recap of Day 1 highlights
Day 2 agenda overview

Panel: Upskilling and Reskilling for Technology Adoption

Existing programs supporting AI, automation, digitalization adoption
Connecting post-secondary educators/trainers with employers
Tackling adoption barriers

Building Infrastructure to Support Innovation and Workforce Growth

Exploring the critical role infrastructure plays in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce for the sectors
Identifying the key infrastructure requirements needed to support the adoption of advanced technologies, automation, and digitalization across the agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing sectors
Discussing the importance of modernizing facilities, improving connectivity, and ensuring access to cutting-edge tools and resources to foster industry growth and resilience.

Panel: Changing Perceptions, Building Capacity

Strategies to attract young talent
Work-integrated learning models
Engaging non-traditional employees to careers in the sectors
Collaboration between agri-food and non-traditional partners

Panel: Learning from Within – Agri-Food Innovation Success Stories

Canadian case studies on tech adoption and workforce advancement
Examples of industry-PSE partnerships advancing technology adoption and training the workforce to support it

Plenary: Where We Go From Here

Speaker: Scott Ross, CFA

Top priorities for moving forward
Policy recommendations

Event Recap, Wrap-Up, and Thank You
Speaker: Jennifer Wright, CAHRC

Perceptions of Agriculture

Perceptions of Agriculture: Engaging and Connecting with Youth and Emerging Talent: Shift outdated perceptions, highlight sector opportunity

Many people assume young Canadians just aren’t interested in working in agriculture. But the real issue isn’t a lack of interest—it’s a lack of awareness. The agri-workforce is changing fast, and careers in agriculture today go far beyond what most young people imagine. From climate-smart farming to tech innovation, the sector offers real purpose and strong futures.

Let’s rethink how we introduce agriculture to the next generation. Based on insights from the National Workforce Strategic Plan.

This webinar has already taken place.

Watch the recording here

Participants:
Facilitator: Jennifer Wright, Executive Director, CAHRC

Panelists

Lisa Bishop-Spencer is a senior leader with over 20 years of cross-functional leadership experience spanning strategic planning, communications, and marketing. She is also a certified crisis and reputation manager. As the Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI), Lisa is dedicated to fostering public trust and building strong relationships within Canada’s food system. Her approach is rooted in transparent communication and collaboration, ensuring that the diverse voices of all stakeholders are valued, with a vision to create lasting, positive impacts in the sector through strategic, trust-based partnerships, and innovative program development.

Kevin studied International Development at the University of Calgary and has lived and worked all over the globe and is now based in Ottawa. Kevin joined Food Processing Skills Canada in 2017 and has been leading the organization’s Labour Market Information insights since that time. He also represents FPSC and the industry on a variety of national and regional committees to ensure decision makers have access to the best available information. When Kevin isn’t reviewing data, he is likely coaching, playing, or watching sports.

Kalysha Hanrahan is the thinkAG Manager at Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C), where she champions agriculture education and career awareness across the country. A former member of the Canadian Agriculture Youth Council, Kalysha brings over eight years of experience in the agri-food sector, with a strong focus on youth engagement and strategic communications.

Theresa Myra is currently the Employer Relations Manager with the Work-Integrated Learning & Co-operative Education program at Dalhousie University leading an amazing team of professionals that engage with our employer partners across the country and internationally on behalf of students in our 29 co-op and Master internship programs. She holds a Master of Education degree and has over 25+ years of professional experience working in post-secondary, non-profits, and the provincial and federal government. She is currently the Atlantic Representative on the CEWIL National Board representing all post-secondary institutions in the Atlantic region. She is also a mentor in the Study and Stay in Nova Scotia program. She is very passionate about engaging youth with industry and has dedicated her career to doing just that. Her interests include travelling, spending time with her dogs, being a community connector and volunteering.

Trends in Digitalization, Tech, Automation, AI & Jobs 2/2

banner webinar series

Trends in Digitalization, Tech, Automation, AI & Jobs. (Part 2)
This session explores how digitalization, automation, and AI are transforming agriculture and food manufacturing in Canada. Industry experts share insights on emerging technologies, shifting workforce demands, and the skills needed to stay competitive. Part of the National Workforce Strategic Plan webinar series.

Join us for this upcoming webinar:

Thursday, May 15, 2025 12:00 PM EST
Online, Zoom

This webinar has already taken place.

Watch the recording here

Participants:
Facilitator: Jennifer Wright, Executive Director, CAHRC

Panelists

Darrell Petras studied Agriculture sciences with a specialization in Economics at the University of Alberta. It turned out to be the perfect mix for a young person who as fresh off the Viking, Alberta, family farm who had interests in agriculture and technology wotjh a penchant for business.

His early career set him up for long-term success as he came under the influence of exceptional professionals who mentored him in the world of entrepreneurship and steeped him in the processes and rigour required to build a technology company from the ground up while protecting and benefiting from its core intellectual property:

Ideation -> Lab ® Minimally Viable Product -> Startup -> Market (all while focused on the customer)

Not satisfied to sit on the sidelines and only watch others benefit from his guidance, Darrell has walked the talk, co-launching or purchasing successful enterprises himself over the years.

His experience in, and passion for, business and agriculture make him an ideal CEO for CAAIN with its focus on supporting the development of Canadian agtech and encouraging the growth of SMEs that are the lifeblood of our nation’s economy. Because of his background, Darrell believes he has a responsibility to help fast-track the adoption of the agri-food innovation needed to ensure food security domestically and internationally. Darrell can be reached at darrell.petras@caain.ca.

John Fleischauer – or as he’s better known–bigtalljohn–is a bit of a recruiting enigma.

After studying Biomedical Toxicology at the University of Guelph, John started his career in the recruiting industry in 2004. After working in the agency space for eight years, John transitioned to the corporate world, leading Halogen Software’s Global Talent Acquisition function, where he helped the business scale from 170 employees (pre-IPO) to 530 employees (worldwide) as a publicly traded organization in 3 years. After being acquired by Saba Software, he then transitioned to lead Saba Software’s Global Talent Acquisition function where he was able to stand up a predictable hiring engine that allowed the business to hire for 70 open positions in his final 60 days with the company.

Now as President of Pivot + Edge, John is on a mission to help small businesses out-compete big corporate conglomerates in the war for talent by helping organizations take a marketing-first approach to hiring.

Over the last 8 years, Pivot + Edge has deeply rooted itself in helping Canadian AgriFoodTech companies scale, and reduce their hiring costs substantially.

John is an author, a TEDx speaker, a three-time DisruptHR speaker and you can find him adding to the conversation on LinkedIn @bigtalljohn.

National Workforce Strategic Plan

National Workforce Strategic Plan

Resources

NWSP Workforce Summit

Agenda - June 11 (Day1)

Agenda - June 12 (Day 2)

Book your hotel

Webinars

Perceptions of Agriculture

Trends in Digitalization, Tech, Automation, AI & Jobs 1/2

Trends in Digitalization, Tech, Automation, AI & Jobs 2/2

Infrastructure and Workforce Attraction and Retention

North American Workforce Trends: Impacts of Tariffs